Aston Villa cancel player of the year awards as relegation looms

Aston Villa have suffered a record-equalling 10 home losses this season

Aston Villa have cancelled this season's player of the year awards with the club facing relegation.

Villa are nine points adrift at the bottom of the Premier League having won just three games all campaign and could go down on Saturday.

"In the current circumstances, we are sure our supporters will understand," a club spokesman said.

There have been several fan protests against owner Randy Lerner, including during the recent home loss to Chelsea.

During the game, supporters held up banners that read: "Proud history, what future?"

Villa supporter Mike McKenna, who organised the recent fan walkout protests during home games against Everton, Tottenham and Chelsea, said: "There is a toxic atmosphere at the club at the moment. The players are not generally well liked.

Aston Villa fans have made their feelings known at recent matches

"Unfortunately, the complaints about the likes of [Micah] Richards, [Gabriel] Agbonlahor, etc have rubbed off on other players.

"Maybe Jordan Ayew deserved an award but, with the toxic atmosphere, the club have thought it would only garner bad publicity to garnish the players with awards.

"Generally, I would think the supporters support the decision not to have awards as there is nothing to celebrate."